All last week, several youth were learning what it takes to be a police officer.
These youth were taking part in the week-long training program for the Explorers program.
In addition to classroom work, they had several opportunities for hands-on experiences, including crime scene investigation, traffic stops, searches and seizures, officer safety, how to lift finger prints and ethics.
Among those going through the training were three youth new to the program.
“I decided to join the Explorers because my family has been in law enforcement and I got interested from them,” said Victoria Gricol.
Her step-father works at the El Dorado Police Department and she said he has been a big influence on her.
Of all of the activities, she liked the searches and traffic stops the most.
Angel Deleon also is new to the program.
“Ever since I was little and since I could talk, I wanted to be a police officer,” he said.
He decided to join the Explorers program to learn more about law enforcement.
Deleon said he wanted to be a police officer mostly to help people.
“I have had a lot of encounters, not being in trouble, but where police should have been there,” he explained.
Dustin Gibson also has been influenced by family members in law enforcement.
“My grandpa and grandma worked for the police department in Eureka,” he said.
Several other family members also are in law enforcement.
“I was going to join the Army, but I am diabetic so I looked more at law enforcement,” he said.
He has enjoyed seeing the different calls the police department responds to, as well as how they work with other agencies, during the training program.
“I have enjoyed hearing the different stories of what they have done,” he said.
The training is now offered annually, allowing them to do a more comprehensive and in-depth training program.
Following the training, the Explorers will meet twice a month – with one time being a business meeting and the other for training. They also assist with all community events providing security.
The Explorers program recently received a donation from the American Legion Post 81, which is coming on board as a major sponsor.
